Dictionaries

Dictionaries are reference works that document a language's vocabulary, providing information about the form, meaning, pronunciation, and usage of words. They typically organize entries by headword and may include parts of speech, etymology, pronunciation guides, example usages, and cross references. While a thesaurus focuses on relationships between words, such as synonyms and antonyms, a dictionary aims to define and describe language items.

There are various kinds: monolingual dictionaries define words in the language they describe; bilingual or multilingual dictionaries translate words between languages; and specialized dictionaries cover fields such as medicine, law, or technology, or focus on proper names, slang, or regional varieties. Learner’s dictionaries tailor definitions to non-native speakers, with simplified language and usage notes.

Historical overview: early word lists and glossaries appear in ancient cultures to aid understanding and translation. Modern printed dictionaries began in the 17th and 18th centuries, with works like Samuel Johnson's English Dictionary (1755) and Noah Webster's American Dictionary (1828). The rise of corpus linguistics and computer databases broadened scope and speed, giving rise to comprehensive dictionaries and real-time online resources.

Typical entries include the headword, part of speech, pronunciation, sense(s), etymology, usage notes, example sentences, and cross-references. Editorial work involves lexicographers, corpus data, examples, and criteria for inclusion. Digital dictionaries offer search features, audio pronunciations, frequency data, and regular updates, often with offline access and mobile apps.